Olefin/paraffin (e.g., ethylene/ethane) separations is one of the most energy intensive processes in petrochemical industry. Current technology uses a cryogenic distillation method for ethylene/ethane separation which involves high pressure and low temperature conditions. Olefin/paraffin separation based on the olefin coordination to metal sites is an alternative to the energy intensive distillation process. We show that trinuclear copper(I) pyrazolate complex [(3,4,5-(CF3)3Pz)Cu]3, [Cu3] is an excellent choice for this purpose. The [Cu3] converts to a dinuclear copper-ethylene complex [Cu2.(C2H4)2] upon exposure to ethylene gas. The [Cu3] ↔ [Cu2.(C2H4)2] structural rearrangement is a reversible process, and remarkably occurs both in solution and solid state under mild conditions. The low net heat of adsorption along with other key features such as sharp ‘step’ isotherms, high ethylene/ethane selectivity and good ethylene capacity make [Cu3] an ideal adsorbent material for low-energy ethylene/ethane separations.

Solid-state structural rearrangement of a trinuclear copper complex due to ethylene adsorption

2019 Spring National Meeting

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